Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1887-09-16
DEMOCRATIC STATE TICKET
Association Of Tobacco Growers.

tue lcosAOlliLy ouu lupOItonCo VI OiSauiA-
ing an association Of the tobacco growers
of Maryland, with a view of improving
the methods of culture and regulating the
market for that staple product in this
section of the State. What we then said
was an amplifcation upon the idea sug-
gested by a tobacco grower of this county.
We observe that our able contemporary,
the Marlboro Gazette, has given its full
endorsement to the proposition, though
we have not seen that our other Southern
Maryland contemporaries have given any
attention to the matter. They are proba-
bly, of opinion that the eve of an active
political campaign is not an opportune
time to discuss an important economic
question aud one which requires mature
and deliberate consideration. In this they
are no doubt right, but in order that ii
may be understood that we have not lost
sight of the idea, it may not be improper
to say word further at present on the
question.
This may at first appear to be Utop-
ian idea and not capable, in view of the
easy going temperament of our Southern
Maryland people who are the tobacco
growers of the State, of being put into
practical execution. But upon a more
careful examination it will be seen that
there is great possible advantages 10 the
tobacco growers of the State as class
underlying such an organization; advan-
tages which, when clearly made known to
them, they would be apt to see and en-
deavor to realize. As was suggested by
our correspondent, the tobacco growers
have now come to pass when they are
already beginning to think about some
measures for taking care of themselves.
The Maryland tobacco growers occupy
q unique position upon this question Of
organization. They have already at their
command material advantages in this re-
gard that are not possessed by the tobac-
CO growers of any other State. The ex-
tensive warehouses in Baltimore city, pur-
chased with the proceeds of the State in
spection system, to the value of nearly
million of dollars, are conceded to belong
equitably to the tobacco growers OF the
s2tatss .epsequence of this equitable
9*nershiP the Maryland tobacco growers
have unlimited free storage in these ware
houses. If once effectively organized and
Incorporated, it Is probable that the asso-
citation of tobacco growers would not have
much difficulty in obtaining the legal title
to this property and thus take the whole
matter of inspection out Of the hands OF
the State.
This would be good start in the way
of capital stock for the association, for if
such an association. had that amount of
money they could not invest it more judi
ciously to their own advantage than in
these very warehouses. But unless the to-
bacco growers do organize and educate
each other up to a true understanding of
their own material interests and let their
voice be heard as class, it is not impro-
bable that in the not very distant future
they may find themselves, through the in
reference of we'll meaning but badly in
formed men, deprived by law Of all inter-
est in this valuable property.
Another fact favorable to the organiza-
tion of the Maryland tobacco growers is,
IS we before suggested, the limited Sec
tion in which tobacco is a staple produc-
tioa. This would render the organization
and Incorporation of the concern easy, and
would also tend to simplify and facilitate
its operation when organized.
We expect to further discuss this matter
at some future time, when we hope to have
the more general cooperation Of the press
of Southern Maryland.